Does anyone know what this (A) represents in a switch test? For example, right loop 42 (A) closed.
Quoted from jkroeck25:Does anyone know what this (A) represents in a switch test? For example, right loop 42 (A) closed.
Could it be that there are multiple switches on that loop. Enter and exit?
Which game?
On the display or in the switch matrix documentation?
Got a pic?
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Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
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Could be indicating what type of switch it is. Try triggering an opto and see if it says (O), or anything different. Or it could be the first character of the part number. Lots of switches start with A-...
Thanks for the replies. The game is Dirty Harry. Original problem was the magnet not working properly all the time. The magnet would work out of the shooter lane but not during gameplay when it would roll over the left inlane to light magna-save. All though I believe it did work a couple times during multiball when a friend was over playing it. I'm going to try and post a video of the switch question.
Thanks for the video. That helps.
It also helps to know you were using T.3, Single Switch Test.
I have never used that test, and didn't even know it existed. It's not very useful unless you don't want to be bothered by a flakey switch or a spinner when the PF is raised.
I'm going to say that what you are seeing is normal. I tested my STTNG left side cannon shooter. It behaves the same way that the switch you are questioning behaves.
As for the magnet not working, test it in coil test. Like any other coil, in game play, it's activated by the MPU sensing a switch closure. I'm not familiar with DH, but perhaps there is a switch that tells the game when the ball will be on the magnet, like TZ uses.
And...I have no idea what the (A) stands for. The STTNG manual doesn't mention it.
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Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info
Quoted from jkroeck25:Does anyone know what this (A) represents in a switch test? For example, right loop 42 (A) closed.
The (A) means that the switch is NOT in it's resting state, and that it is currently Active (note that the word Active start with the letter A, it's like Sesame Street).
You should also notice in single switch test that the sound is different for switches that are stuck on when you get to them, thus you know when you get to a bad switch, because the sound is different.
If it's a loop switch, and there is no ball in the switch, and it's marked (A)ctive, then it's stuck ON (or OFF if it is an opto).
I almost said closed, but you'll notice that some switches are closed normally, and some are open normally, they are in their non resting state when the (A) is present, thus why the (A) is there in addition to the closed or open statement. OPTO's are normally closed and go open to be active, most physical switches are normally open and go closed to be active.
As an added bonus, while you are in switch test, hit the start button, you'll get three pages of information on the DMD; everything from the wire colors, transistors, chips, connectors, and fuses that that part goes through to get to the processor (it works on lamps and solenoid tests too.)
Post edited by themadman: Take out rant on people not knowing how to use basic tests...
Quoted from themadman:The (A) means that the switch is NOT in it's resting state, and that it is currently Active (note that the word Active start with the letter A, it's like Sesame Street).
You should also notice in single switch test that the sound is different for switches that are stuck on when you get to them, thus you know when you get to a bad switch, because the sound is different.
If it's a loop switch, and there is no ball in the switch, and it's marked (A)ctive, then it's stuck ON (or OFF if it is an opto).
I almost said closed, but you'll notice that some switches are closed normally, and some are open normally, they are in their non resting state when the (A) is present, thus why the (A) is there in addition to the closed or open statement. OPTO's are normally closed and go open to be active, most physical switches are normally open and go closed to be active.
As an added bonus, while you are in switch test, hit the start button, you'll get three pages of information on the DMD; everything from the wire colors, transistors, chips, connectors, and fuses that that part goes through to get to the processor (it works on lamps and solenoid tests too.)
Post edited by themadman: Take out rant on people not knowing how to use basic tests...
Thanks for the info. I suspected what you've detailed. Where is this documented?
...good move to remove the rant...
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info
Quoted from ChrisHibler:Thanks for the info. I suspected what you've detailed. Where is this documented?
...good move to remove the rant...
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info
It was late, and I dealt with what seemed like dumb question day at work, so I vented a little.
Looking at the WPC manuals, it's not documented. I guess Williams expected you'd figure it out when you went to test a switch... I suspect the reason the (A) was added is so that the switch level test (which only shows Active switches in WPC and up, but shows closed switches Sys11 and down) and the tech could figure out when the switch was active, since closed no longer means active (especially on an opto).
Ya...but I think it's OK.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info
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